Morecambe's deadly duo earn manager's praise

The Shrimps moved back into League Two’s top six with a 3-0 win at the Mazuma Stadium, their 10th match without defeat at home.

However, they enjoyed some good fortune along the way as their visitors struck the woodwork twice during the first half.

Then, just as the teams seemed set to go in level at half-time, Phillips struck the opening goal when collecting Mendes-Gomes’ through ball and rounding the keeper to score.

It was a reversal of roles from recent weeks, when Phillips has been the creator and Mendes-Gomes the finisher.

For good measure, it also saw Phillips go top of the club’s scoring chart again with nine for the season: one more than Mendes-Gomes.

Adams said afterwards: “They have got a very good understanding.

“Both of them have got a very good football brain and, today, it was vice versa.

“It was good for Adam to get a goal because he’s been trying to get some more goals and Carlos has been able to find him with the pass.”

Phillips’ goal came at the perfect time as it gave Morecambe the initiative going into the break and killed the momentum Colchester had built up.

The interval also saw Adams make a change with Toumani Diagouraga introduced in place of Jordan Slew.

That substitution paid dividends as Diagouraga scored just before the hour, and following Harry Pell’s red card for the visitors, John O’Sullivan wrapped up victory late on.

“Toums is an excellent player,” Adams said of Diagouraga.

“He takes the ball all over the pitch. I felt at half-time we needed an extra player in the middle of the pitch.”

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